Approximately 200 young men from across the tri-state area recently attended the Kappa League Leadership Conference at Montclair State University presented by the Northeastern Province of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.

In a large conference room Saturday afternoon, about two dozen young men and boys tackled one of the most difficult tasks in male fashion – the tying of the elegant and complex Windsor knot. Guided by James Martin II, a member of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity’s Houston branch, the students stood in groups with colorful ties wrapped around their neck, intently absorbing his detailed demonstration. The boys were a varied group, mostly African-American but also Anglos and Hispanics, and were invited to the tie-tying event by staff members of the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. Josie Jones, a community initiative specialist with Child Protective Services, said the Kappa Alpha Psi members have scheduled a meal later in the year so they same young men can dress up and wear ties as they practice their mealtime manners. Corey Harris, who co-chairs the Kappa Alpa Psi’s leadership program called “Guide Right,” said eight fraternity members and another 25 high school students enrolled in the fraternities leadership program helped the boys.